Identity & Culture

IV. Interviews
Undoubtedly, this uprising will affect culture and arts. Consequently, innovators will find a new environment
of freedom and their creative expressions will take new forms. Cultural momentum needs freedom,
which is inseparable from creativity. The intellectuals will be able to discuss the causes of their country
with boldness and in full communication with society. Thus, political transformations change the perception
of society.
Though none of this has yet been achieved, it shows the huge responsibility that must be shouldered by the
intellectuals and innovators at this historic stage in particular. They have a social role to play. They have to
deliberate the problems of their peoples and contribute to the change of beliefs, opinions, and mentalities.
It is a huge choice that will have consequences not only for the countries which witnessed the uprising, but
also for the entire region.
The Qatari cultural scene interacted with the aspirations of the Arab intellectuals in the countries which
witnessed the uprising by opening the fields of expression and participation in the events. This contact of
Qatari intellectuals and innovators with this new “wave” will undoubtedly create additional enthusiasm to
believe in the role of culture in building the future vision of Qatar.
Gulf Affairs: Are you concerned about the fact that the attention given to sports by youth and
supported by the state within the GCC states notably exceeds that of culture?
Al Ali: The attention given to sports is a result of the larger media coverage despite the priority given to
the youth culture. In addition, scoring goals is much clearer and faster in sports than in culture. This is due
to the different nature of each field, without creating a predominance of one over the other. Both culture
and sports share roles in society while each field has its own particularity and choices while being integrated.
Our vision expressed such integration, bearing in mind that awareness and consciousness should be
built within a healthy body. I am not concerned about measurements of attention to each field as it is not
a matter of quantity but of degree and quality. Changing and enlightening mentalities through cultural
expression takes more time. It is not an automatic thing to do and is not related to a particular period. The
more we realize what we aspire from culture and sports at our particular moment in civilization, the better
we will be able to give enough attention to each one of them.
Gulf Affairs: Finally, the previous Doha Cultural Festival successfully became a significant
cultural forum in the Arab region. Why did it stop? Are there any plans to bring it back?
Al Ali: Qatar went through many cultural experiences, including the Doha Cultural Festival, which kicked
off its first round in 2002. Still, each historic stage requires forms and means to present the artistic product
or accomplish cultural projects. Thanks to the forums and festivals held by several cultural bodies, Doha
became a cultural beacon. However, merging all these events into only one festival does not reflect the
vitality of culture that extends all year long. At this point, holding festivals is not our main concern, but
empowering intellectuals and innovators to reach creativity is.
Supporting all events with a vision that advances Qatari society, as well as serious thinking about our cultural
priorities, are more important than cultural show off. The question is what did all these festivals and
forums change in our way of thinking, conduct, and preferences? I think this is the core question, which will
guide our plans for the future.
Identity & Culture in the 21st Century Gulf |Autumn 2016 41